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Hodgson has yet to confirm his starting line up for this prestige friendly against Martin O’Neill’s team, but Theo Walcott could be rewarded for his good form with Arsenal.

Walcott scored a hat-trick on the final day of the season against West Brom in the Barclays Premier League and followed it up with the opening goal in last weekend’s 4-0 destruction of Aston Villa in the FA Cup final.

The England squad take a tour of the stadium in Dublin ahead of their friendly on Sunday

Hodgson chats with Nathaniel Clyne before England take on the Republic of Ireland on Sunday

Hodgson added: ‘I have always thought of him as a forward, either through the centre or more often in the wider areas.

‘It was great to see him finish the season so well, he has been part our thinking for three years.

‘Sometimes we have lost him though injury, but it’s nice he is fully fit and he is in good form. He is also in confident form.’

Wilshere and Wojciech Szczesny hold the FA Cup aloft as they celebrate in front of their fans

The 23-year-old midfielder mocked rivals Tottenham in a foul-mouthed outburst during the FA Cup parade

England captain Wayne Rooney also urged England supporters to be on their best behaviour ahead of their first visit to Dublin since the shameful scenes at Lansdowne Road 20 years ago.

Rooney, who is just three goals behind Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 49 goals for his country, said: ‘On the pitch it is difficult to hear what’s said because you concentrate on the game.

‘We understand what happened 20 years ago, but the game has moved on. The message is there for the fans and hopefully they behave themselves.’

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England manager Roy Hodgson urges Jack Wilshere to tone down laddish image after being fined by FA for Tottenham expletives